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Welcome to the blog of the Flight Safety Foundation. The Foundation is always up to something and here is a great place to see what we are doing.
All the FSF directors and the CEO will be blogging. so come by often to keep up!
Asiana tragedy
"Anytime a plane goes down with a reported fire in the cargo hold, one of the first things we need to know is what was in the cargo hold and how was it being transported. This will be a key part of this investigation and probably some of the first questions asked. We’ve learned a lot about safely transporting hazardous materials over the decades but obviously there is still much to learn."
"Anytime a plane goes down with a reported fire in the cargo hold, one of the first things we need to know is what was in the cargo hold and how was it being transported. This will be a key part of this investigation and probably some of the first questions asked. We’ve learned a lot about safely transporting hazardous materials over the decades but obviously there is still much to learn."
Our thoughts and prayers are with the crew of this flight and their families.
posted 7/28/11
Some Points on the incident at Reagan National from Bill Voss
· The incident at Reagan National was very unusual. It didn’t create much of a real safety threat, but it does point out some things that may need to · The incident at Reagan National was very unusual. It didn’t create much of a real safety threat, but it does point out some things that may need to be addressed.
· There was only one controller on duty, and one could argue that this is adequate given the extremely sparse traffic at that airport at night.
· It is possible that controller dozed off, but that would be surprising since it happened very early in the shift. Normally people struggle to stay awake in the hours just before dawn (3-5am).
· If could be possible that the controller locked himself out of the tower while going to the bathroom. Maybe we should admit that can happen and make procedures to deal with it?
· There will be a call for mandating 2 controllers on every shift, but at the same time there is a Bill under consideration in Congress that would cut the FAA’s budget by 20%.
· This incident could result in a bunch of silly rules and finger pointing, or it could launch a legitimate debate around fatigue, staffing, and risk. I vote for the latter.
posted 3/24/11 9:30AM
Tragic regularity
There’s a reason why Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) is considered one of the leading killers in aviation. These accidents happen with tragic regularity. The recently released report from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), Russia’s investigative body for aviation accidents, demonstrates that the dreadful accident last April that killed the president of Poland along with his wife and many other political leaders was sadly a textbook example of a CFIT accident. There’s a reason why Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) is considered one of the leading killers in aviation. These accidents happen with tragic regularity. The recently released report from the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), Russia’s investigative body for aviation accidents, demonstrates that the dreadful accident last April that killed the president of Poland along with his wife and many other political leaders was sadly a textbook example of a CFIT accident.
The IAC is one of the world’s leading investigative bodies and this investigation was done following the guidelines and standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As the report lays out and the cockpit voice recorder backs up, the crew of this flight made poor decisions and ignored warnings from air traffic control and the airplane itself of the danger of trying to land in the conditions at that airport. While we will never know why the crew chose to ignore these warnings, we do know that there are cases all around the world of flight crews disregarding alarms and warnings, leading to tragic consequences.
A couple of additional facts at play in this tragedy:
· This was a non-precision approach and our data shows CFIT is 5 times more likely on this sort of approach
· The aircraft was equipped with TAWS but it would not have been working 100% because the data for this airport was not in the database. That doesn’t make much difference, however, since the pilots chose to ignore it
· Air traffic control is not the decision-maker in these circumstances. All they can do is make sure the pilot has the correct weather information and is informed of the alternatives. This was clearly done.
We understand the extraordinary scope of this tragedy for the Polish people, yet the circumstances around this accident are not uncommon. They are a lethal mix of factors that have played out many times.
-thoughts from Bill Voss on the IAC report on the April 10, 2010 crash
posted 1/19/2011
FSF Statement on Concorde Verdict
“The Concorde criminal verdict announced today in France is a disappointment, but the fact that this trial was even held is the real concern. “The Concorde criminal verdict announced today in France is a disappointment, but the fact that this trial was even held is the real concern. Aviation safety professionals know that the voluntary exchange of data between industry, regulators, and operators is key to identifying potential safety concerns and is the reason why the safety record of the aviation industry is unparalleled. When the judicial system gets involved, as it has in this case, it chills this vital cooperation, making it harder for a safety professional to prevent it from happening again. Prosecutorial abuse of discretion is on our most wanted list to eliminate. The assignment of blame should not override the public’s need for a safe aviation system. This is no way to honor the victims of an aviation tragedy.”
Posted 12/6/2010
Bill in Russia at GASR meeting
Bill Voss returned this weekend from Russia where he had been attending the Global Aviation Safety Roadmap meeting in St. Petersburg. There were two main themes of the meeting. The first was on better monitoring of foreign aircraft in a manner consistent with the European SAFA program. Bill is pleased to note that there were real steps taken in the effort to counter flights taken by aircraft with purposely confusing ownership, operations and regulatory oversight as many of these aircraft are operating for shady operators for shady reasons. Bill Voss returned this weekend from Russia where he had been attending the Global Aviation Safety Roadmap meeting in St. Petersburg. There were two main themes of the meeting. The first was on better monitoring of foreign aircraft in a manner consistent with the European SAFA program. Bill is pleased to note that there were real steps taken in the effort to counter flights taken by aircraft with purposely confusing ownership, operations and regulatory oversight as many of these aircraft are operating for shady operators for shady reasons. Several of the CIS states that made up the former Soviet Union have agreed to do better and more frequent inspections of these foreign-owned aircraft. This is a real step forward. The other focus was the problem of loss of control. The meeting came up with several tangible recommendations regarding education efforts targeting the unique problems encountered by eastern operators
Both of these efforts involved the exchange of safety information and many of the airlines in attendance expressed grave concern over the increasing lack of protection for aviation safety data. This issue is near and dear to the heart of FSF.
Posted - 10/25 - 9:40am
Proposed fatigue rules....
We’re really excited about the proposed fatigue rules – this is one of the most significant improvements of safety we’ve seen in years. We’re also hugely disappointed that with the finish line in sight, all these efforts put in by safety experts could be tossed aside because of some hasty reactions, based on bargaining pressures and mistrust instead of the science and facts. People need to take time and read it through. Looking at any one requirement in isolation is a mistake. The pieces play together to make one of the most thoughtful fatigue rules in the world. We’re really excited about the proposed fatigue rules – this is one of the most significant improvements of safety we’ve seen in years. We’re also hugely disappointed that with the finish line in sight, all these efforts put in by safety experts could be tossed aside because of some hasty reactions, based on bargaining pressures and mistrust instead of the science and facts. People need to take time and read it through. Looking at any one requirement in isolation is a mistake. The pieces play together to make one of the most thoughtful fatigue rules in the world.
posted Friday, September 17
Bill's latest column
I sure hope you all read Bill's latest column in the current issue of ASW - here's the link to the piece. We'll wait for you to read it and come back...
http://flightsafety.org/asw/apr10/asw_apr10_p1.pdf
Done?
He didn't pull any punches on this one. Hope that the industry - operators and regulators - are paying attention to this one....
posted May 5 by Emily... I sure hope you all read Bill's latest column in the current issue of ASW - here's the link to the piece. We'll wait for you to read it and come back...
http://flightsafety.org/asw/apr10/asw_apr10_p1.pdf
Done?
He didn't pull any punches on this one. Hope that the industry - operators and regulators - are paying attention to this one....
posted May 5 by Emily...
FSF and CAAC partner up...
This week in Montreal, Billl Voss and Capt. Wang Zhaoming, Director General of the Office of Aviation Safety at the Civil Aviation Administration of China, met up to sign the memorandum of understanding that would formalize the agreement for the CAAC to translate AeroSafety World into Chinese each month. This version will be available on the FSF website. We've got a press release about this in the media section of the web page.
posted on March 30 by Emily
This week in Montreal, Billl Voss and Capt. Wang Zhaoming, Director General of the Office of Aviation Safety at the Civil Aviation Administration of China, met up to sign the memorandum of understanding that would formalize the agreement for the CAAC to translate AeroSafety World into Chinese each month. This version will be available on the FSF website. We've got a press release about this in the media section of the web page.
posted on March 30 by Emily
Opening panel got people talking...
As we expected, the opening panel kicked off EASS with a spirited discussion about presentations from Ken Quinn, FSF General Counsel, and Mike Ambrose, Director General of ERA. Both embraced the call for a multi-national accident investigation board in Europe. We've distributed a press release outlining their views - it will be posted on the FSF website soon. I think it is safe to say that this will be a topic of side conversations for the rest of the conference. Everyone in the room didn't agree with this idea.
posted by Emily, at EASS in Lisbon, March 16th. As we expected, the opening panel kicked off EASS with a spirited discussion about presentations from Ken Quinn, FSF General Counsel, and Mike Ambrose, Director General of ERA. Both embraced the call for a multi-national accident investigation board in Europe. We've distributed a press release outlining their views - it will be posted on the FSF website soon. I think it is safe to say that this will be a topic of side conversations for the rest of the conference. Everyone in the room didn't agree with this idea.
posted by Emily, at EASS in Lisbon, March 16th.
EASS kicks off in Lisbon
The 22nd annual European Aviation Safety Seminar kicked off Monday evening in Lisbon, Portgual. About 200 people are here for the meeting and ready for the main event to start Tuesday as the opening session kicks off at 9am. Folks are in for a bit of a surprise as the normal welcoming remarks are being supplemented with an honest look at criminalization policy in Europe.
No time like the present as the Concorde trial rolls on in France and the various aviation authorities begin to consider this issue. We'll have more about this on the FSF homepage in a few hours... The 22nd annual European Aviation Safety Seminar kicked off Monday evening in Lisbon, Portgual. About 200 people are here for the meeting and ready for the main event to start Tuesday as the opening session kicks off at 9am. Folks are in for a bit of a surprise as the normal welcoming remarks are being supplemented with an honest look at criminalization policy in Europe.
No time like the present as the Concorde trial rolls on in France and the various aviation authorities begin to consider this issue. We'll have more about this on the FSF homepage in a few hours...
posted by Emily in the early AM on Tuesday, March 16.
Bill Voss on PBS/Frontline
CEO Bill Voss will be on Frontline tonight on PBS (WETA here in the DC area at 10pm). Check your local listings! Show is on regional airline safety. Should be interesting...
posted on 2/9 CEO Bill Voss will be on Frontline tonight on PBS (WETA here in the DC area at 10pm). Check your local listings! Show is on regional airline safety. Should be interesting...
posted on 2/9
Concorde trial in France
The long-awaited Concorde trial has started in France. This is not something that the Foundation thinks is a very good idea. In fact, we've been talking for years about the threat that prosecutorial activity could have on aviation safety. Check out the Criminalization Resolution on the website - it's under the Archives and Resources button/Special Reports. Here's the direct link to make it even easier....
http://flightsafety.org/files/resolution_01-12-10.pdf The long-awaited Concorde trial has started in France. This is not something that the Foundation thinks is a very good idea. In fact, we've been talking for years about the threat that prosecutorial activity could have on aviation safety. Check out the Criminalization Resolution on the website - it's under the Archives and Resources button/Special Reports. Here's the direct link to make it even easier....
http://flightsafety.org/files/resolution_01-12-10.pdf
So, now we have the French going after Continental. AP wrote a story yesterday and included our perspective. You can check that out here:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/blame-disputed-as-concorde-crash-trialopens-205555.html
Posted by Emily, 2-2-10
FSF in Italy
Last week the Flight Safety Foundation had several busy days in Rome….conferences, high profile meetings, TV interview, and promotion of the 63rd IASS, to be held in Milan later this year, were all on the agenda for Bill Voss and Susan Lausch. Last week the Flight Safety Foundation had several busy days in Rome….conferences, high profile meetings, TV interview, and promotion of the 63rd IASS, to be held in Milan later this year, were all on the agenda for Bill Voss and Susan Lausch.
Thanks to Paolo Pettinaroli, President of the Fondazione 8 Ottobre 2001 for the many meetings and important introductions that took place last week. Voss met with the Chief of Staff of Defense, Air Force General, Vincenzo Camporini, as well as well as with the President of the Transport Committee of the Italian Government, Dr. Vannucci. Discussions revolved around issues of safety, future collaborations and official patronage from the Italian Government, for the FSF 63rd IASS, to be held in Milan in November 2010.
A visit to the Fiumicino Airport and a demonstration of airport safety operations and practices was followed by a visit to the “Square,” a memorial dedicated to the victims of the October 8, 2001 airplane crash, the largest in Italy’s history.
Voss gave a presentation at the GATE XX1 conference that was attended by very important aviation officials including the Chief of Staff of Defense. The 63rd IASS meeting received a great deal of promotion and later Voss was interviewed by AvioNews.
Voss and Lausch also had a very productive meeting with the World Food Programme (WFP) including staff of their aviation safety unit, private partnerships and legal departments, in order to pursue a formal contribution agreement between World Food Programme and Flight Safety Foundation. FSF would work very closely with WFP’s aviation safety unit to work on safety standards, improving operations, gathering expertise from around the world so that WFP can continue its important humanitarian efforts of getting food and relief to some of the most dangerous parts of the world. (Some of the folks we were to meet with were unable to join us because they had to fly out to assist with the Haitian efforts.) FSF would be recognized as a partner of this branch of the United Nations, further expanding the brand, and keeping in line with the mission of saving lives. Other collaborations including joint fundraising efforts would follow. For more information on the WFP efforts, please email lausch@flightsafety.org.
Voss is now somewhere between Taipei and Singapore, and then off again. Stay posted for more updates.
Susan Lausch 1/26/10
Where in world is Bill Voss?
Bill has headed out on another one of his international trips taking him to every corner of the globe. Today he is in Italy. He just met with the Defense Minster there to talk safety issues and is on his way to the next meeting. I bet he is dining really well in Rome!
posted by Emily, January 21 Bill has headed out on another one of his international trips taking him to every corner of the globe. Today he is in Italy. He just met with the Defense Minster there to talk safety issues and is on his way to the next meeting. I bet he is dining really well in Rome!
posted by Emily, January 21
Wayne Rosenkrans recognition
Around here, we are keenly aware of the editorial talents of our publications department. If AeroSafety World isn’t on your must-read list, it should be. We are always proud when these talents are recognized outside of FSF. Around here, we are keenly aware of the editorial talents of our publications department. If AeroSafety World isn’t on your must-read list, it should be. We are always proud when these talents are recognized outside of FSF.
So, we are extra-delighted to brag that Wayne Rosenkrans, ASW Senior Editor, received the ERA Hank McGonagle award for 2009–2010 for his article “Winter of Discontent.” That article appeared in the October 2008 issue of ASW and looked at deicing and anti-icing practices in Europe. There are lots of details about this award in our latest issue of ASW (which you should download immediately from the homepage). The direct link to this article is here.
posted by Emily — 1/7/10
Meetings in the office
The Technical Standard Team for our newly launched Basic Aviation Risk Standard project met today. It's chaired by Nick Sabatini. Looks like it's in good hands. Impressive group in our conference room!
Emily - Dec 2, 2009 The Technical Standard Team for our newly launched Basic Aviation Risk Standard project met today. It's chaired by Nick Sabatini. Looks like it's in good hands. Impressive group in our conference room!
Emily - Dec 2, 2009
Update from China...
We're about halfway through the 62nd annual IASS and the reviews are great! Not sure of the final number of attendees at this point, because we had plenty of folks register on site, but the room is full. It's always great when we get to recognize accomplisments in aviation safety, and IASS is the setting for many of our annual awards. Check out the media center to read about these awards.
We're all finding the hospitality to be warm among our CAAC hosts and the staff of the Shangri-La. And finally the temperatures are rising outside to something more seasonable! We're about halfway through the 62nd annual IASS and the reviews are great! Not sure of the final number of attendees at this point, because we had plenty of folks register on site, but the room is full. It's always great when we get to recognize accomplisments in aviation safety, and IASS is the setting for many of our annual awards. Check out the media center to read about these awards.
We're all finding the hospitality to be warm among our CAAC hosts and the staff of the Shangri-La. And finally the temperatures are rising outside to something more seasonable!
posted by Emily on Thursday morning, Beijing time...
IASS Update - Wednesday morning...
The seminar continues along with more than 300 folks here. We had a number of people register on-site and that kept Namratha and Penny jumping all day yesterday. We all tried to pitch in and help! Plenty of interesting papers have been presented a discussed so far with two more days ahead of us.
On Monday, we had the FSF Board meeting. I'm very excited to announce that the Board fo Governors elected a new Chair, Lynn Brubaker. We all spent time with her on Monday and Tuesday and are ready to get to work with her! Check out the media center on the home page to read all about her. The seminar continues along with more than 300 folks here. We had a number of people register on-site and that kept Namratha and Penny jumping all day yesterday. We all tried to pitch in and help! Plenty of interesting papers have been presented a discussed so far with two more days ahead of us.
On Monday, we had the FSF Board meeting. I'm very excited to announce that the Board fo Governors elected a new Chair, Lynn Brubaker. We all spent time with her on Monday and Tuesday and are ready to get to work with her! Check out the media center on the home page to read all about her.
Of course, a new chair means accepting the resignation of our old Chair, Ed Stimpson. He dedicated so much time to the Foundation and will still be a friend to all of us in the future. Thank you, Ed!
Emily, Wednesday AM from Beijing
IASS starts soon!
Unexpectedly, at least to me, there is a blizzard going in Beijing on the Sunday before IASS kicks off. Doesn't seem to be impacting arrivals as the hotel is starting to fill up. I'm starting to see some familiar faces in the lobby and hallways. They are forecasting at least 6 nches of snow today!
Emily from Beijing on Sunday... Unexpectedly, at least to me, there is a blizzard going in Beijing on the Sunday before IASS kicks off. Doesn't seem to be impacting arrivals as the hotel is starting to fill up. I'm starting to see some familiar faces in the lobby and hallways. They are forecasting at least 6 nches of snow today!
Emily from Beijing on Sunday...
Idaho Stateman Reports on Award to Ed Stimpson
This is a great story. Several FSF reps - Bill Voss and Board members Steve Atkins and Ken Quinn - traveled to Boise a couple of weeks ago to make the presentation of the FSF-Boeing Lifetime Achievement Award to Chairman Ed Stimpson. Here is the story in the Idaho Statesman. It really captures the day.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/life/story/948306.html
posted by Emily at 9:19 on Oct. 26 This is a great story. Several FSF reps - Bill Voss and Board members Steve Atkins and Ken Quinn - traveled to Boise a couple of weeks ago to make the presentation of the FSF-Boeing Lifetime Achievement Award to Chairman Ed Stimpson. Here is the story in the Idaho Statesman. It really captures the day.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/life/story/948306.html
posted by Emily at 9:19 on Oct. 26
NBAA
Just made a brief stop at the National Business Aviation Association annual meeting in Orlando and found the manufacturers in that sector to be unanimous in their belief that their industry's decline stopped earlier this year and that business is slowly picking up, with an emphasis on the word "slowly." More details in next months AeroSafety World magazine.
J.A. Donoghue Just made a brief stop at the National Business Aviation Association annual meeting in Orlando and found the manufacturers in that sector to be unanimous in their belief that their industry's decline stopped earlier this year and that business is slowly picking up, with an emphasis on the word "slowly." More details in next months AeroSafety World magazine.
J.A. Donoghue
Honeywell, FedEx, FSF and Bendix
Each year, the Foundation recognizes technological and innovative achievements in aviation safety with the FSF-Honeywell Bendix Trophy for Aviation Safety. I'm on my way from Orlando following the annual Honeywell briefing at NBAA. We announced the recipients of the Bendix at this briefing - it went to five members of the Strategic Projects Team in the Air Operations Division at FedEx for a new fire detection and suppression system. Head over the media center on the homepage to read the details....
Emily - October 19, from the Orlando Airport ... Each year, the Foundation recognizes technological and innovative achievements in aviation safety with the FSF-Honeywell Bendix Trophy for Aviation Safety. I'm on my way from Orlando following the annual Honeywell briefing at NBAA. We announced the recipients of the Bendix at this briefing - it went to five members of the Strategic Projects Team in the Air Operations Division at FedEx for a new fire detection and suppression system. Head over the media center on the homepage to read the details....
Emily - October 19, from the Orlando Airport ...
FSF in Boise
Bill Voss traveled to Boise, Idaho today with FSF Board members Ken Quinn (General Counsel) and Steve Atkins (of Boeing) to present the FSF-Boeing Lifetime Achievement Award to past Chairman Ed Stimpson. Ed and his wife Dottie welcomed this crew, along with aviation and civic dignitaries from Boise, to their home for the ceremony this morning. No one who works in aviation safety isn't touched by the work of Ed. He has been involved in so many safety efforts and gives his time so generously that it only made sense to recognize his achievements with this award. Bill Voss traveled to Boise, Idaho today with FSF Board members Ken Quinn (General Counsel) and Steve Atkins (of Boeing) to present the FSF-Boeing Lifetime Achievement Award to past Chairman Ed Stimpson. Ed and his wife Dottie welcomed this crew, along with aviation and civic dignitaries from Boise, to their home for the ceremony this morning. No one who works in aviation safety isn't touched by the work of Ed. He has been involved in so many safety efforts and gives his time so generously that it only made sense to recognize his achievements with this award. The staff of FSF joins Bill, Ken and Steve in congratulating Ed Stimpson and thanking him for his many years of work as our Chairman.
-- Emily McGee, on behalf of all FSF staff...
FSF Blogging
I'm thrilled that our blog is now up and running! Between this and Twitter and Facebook, we have many ways to let you all know what we are thinking and doing. As we mentioned before, all the directors and the CEO will be blogging. Bill even gets credit for the first official entry on the blog! I'm thrilled that our blog is now up and running! Between this and Twitter and Facebook, we have many ways to let you all know what we are thinking and doing. As we mentioned before, all the directors and the CEO will be blogging. Bill even gets credit for the first official entry on the blog!
Call to Action??
I am more than a little disturbed by the news report from Airline Transport Intelligence News below:
FAA today said 30 airlines failed to respond with written commitments to use best practices as part of a "Call To Action" scheme launched by administrator Randy Babbitt earlier this year. Babbitt's requests of carriers was driven by enhanced scrutiny of US airlines following the fatal crash of a Colgan Air Bombardier Q400 in February. During public hearings after the crash questions were raised about pilot fatigue and training at regional airlines. I am more than a little disturbed by the news report from Airline Transport Intelligence News below:
FAA today said 30 airlines failed to respond with written commitments to use best practices as part of a "Call To Action" scheme launched by administrator Randy Babbitt earlier this year. Babbitt's requests of carriers was driven by enhanced scrutiny of US airlines following the fatal crash of a Colgan Air Bombardier Q400 in February. During public hearings after the crash questions were raised about pilot fatigue and training at regional airlines.
These may be small carriers worried about costs of FOQA and such, but I am sure they could afford a letter and a stamp to make a response. This unwillingness to step up without the forcing factor of goverment regulation is bad for everybody. It makes everybody worry about the commitment to safety these airlines have, and it encourages lawmakers to put forward new laws that may ultimately be uniforcable and only provide the illusion of progress.
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